Muskegon, MI – An 11-year-old girl has died, and her adoptive mother is facing scrutiny following an incident at their Muskegon County home. Sherry Leak, the mother, is currently in custody, with the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office considering further charges.
Leak initially called 911 to report the incident. Preliminary reports suggested a possible physical altercation occurred while she was attempting to restrain her daughter, Mialah. An autopsy has been completed, and detectives are continuing their investigation.
During Leak’s arraignment in Muskegon County District Court on Tuesday, Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Chief Trial Attorney Matt Roberts stated, “This is obviously, as the Court is aware of, a very serious matter and does involve the death of the young child in this case. Certainly, this does not appear to be a case where there’s any question about who is responsible.” Roberts added that evidence indicated Leak admitted to sitting on Mialah, which appears to have caused her death. the prosecutor’s office was still awaiting the full autopsy results at the time of the arraignment.
Child Protective Services has filed a petition to terminate Leak’s parental rights regarding Mialah’s twin sister, who was hospitalized following Mialah’s death.
Leak is being held at the Muskegon County Jail on a $100,000 bond and is represented by a court-appointed public defender.Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 9 for a probable cause conference.
A neighbor told WZZM that Leak adopted the twins when they were young and described a frequently contentious relationship between Leak and Mialah, stating, “They fight a lot…I’ve seen some things I would rather not see, and I’ve heard things I’d rather not hear.”
